Topley Suffers Injury, Durham Sign MacLeod

Essex fast bowler Reece Topley has suffered a back injury and will miss out on an England Lions tour while Durham have signed Scotland batsman Calum MacLeod.

Topley picked up a lower back injury while he was in Australia with the England Performance Programme and will miss out on a trip to Sri Lanka with the Lions.

Essex Cricket’s Lead Physiotherapist Chris Clarke-Irons said "Reece is currently undergoing rehabilitation following a lower back injury; we hope he will be fully fit for the start of the 2014 season."

Topley added: "I’m obviously disappointed to be injured but with the injury coming during the winter months it gives me enough time to prepare myself for the start of the season."

Meanwhile, Scotsman MacLeod has signed a one-month deal with Durham and will join up with the squad in April.

He has been in superb form for Scotland at the ICC World Cup Qualifier 2014, under the guidance of Durham's Paul Collingwood.

The highlight was an innings of 175 in 141 balls against Canada - a Scotland record.